They are contemporaries of fellow Celtic artists Enya and Clannad; however, Iona's works are also influenced heavily by jazz-fusion, prog-rock and ancient Christian themes.
For Iona's 1990 debut album, the band added: drummer Terl Bryant, bassist Nick Beggs (former bassist of Kajagoogoo) and several studio musicians -- Fiona Davidson (Celtic harp), Peter Whitfield (strings), Troy Donockley (Uillean pipes) and Frank Van Essen (tuned percussion). The self-titled album received very little press, even in their home country, though a Dutch network compiled a documentary based on Iona, the band and the island.
Two years later, Iona returned with "Book of Kells", and the album was praised by North American critics
as well as those of the British Isles. David Fitzgerald left in 1992 to pursue a degree in music and, as a result, Iona lost much of its jazz influences by the following year's Beyond These Shores. The group made up for Fitzgerald's absence, however, by inviting Robert Fripp to guest on the album. Both albums also featured former Kajagoogoo bassist/stickist Nick Beggs. A contract with England's Alliance Music led to "Journey into the Morn"; the album was released in 1996 in the U.S. and Canada, and was listed among the top five folk albums in Q Magazine's Year End Review. "Heaven's Bright Sun", a live album, came the following year, then "Woven Cord" in 2000, and "Open Sky" in 2001.
Their latest release, new to 2007, is called "The Circling Hour".
iona has been a Leipzig, Germany based postrock-band from 2005-2010 that now reemerges as The Yuki Rush. https://ionanoise.bandcamp.com/album/a-noise
There is also a Romanian experimental / hip hop band who also go by the name "Iona",
Fragment Of A Fiery Sun
Iona Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A fragment of a fiery sun
How lovely and how small
Where all things serve Thy great design
And life’s adventure has begun anew
The life of all
Where life’s adventure is begun
The lyrics to Iona's song "Fragment Of A Fiery Sun" are rich with spiritual and philosophical themes. The opening lines, "How wonderful this world of Thine/A fragment of a fiery sun" suggest that the world is but a fragment of God's magnificent creation. The image of a fiery sun reflects God's power, energy, and vitality.
As the song continues, the theme shifts to the idea that all things serve God's great design. This concept underscores the idea that everything happens for a reason and that there is order in the universe. The line "Where life's adventure has begun anew" suggests that life is a journey and that each moment is an opportunity for growth and discovery. The reference to the "life of all" speaks to the interconnectedness of all things and the idea that we are all part of a larger whole.
The final line, "In Thee the lamb" speaks to the idea of sacrifice and redemption. The lamb is a symbol of innocence, purity, and sacrifice. In the context of the song, it suggests that through sacrifice we can become closer to God.
Line by Line Meaning
How wonderful this world of Thine
This world of Yours is truly marvelous and astounding
A fragment of a fiery sun
It is but a small part of a great shining star
How lovely and how small
It is both beautiful and insignificant in comparison to the universe
Where all things serve Thy great design
Everything within this world operates according to Your divine plan
And life’s adventure has begun anew
Each and every day presents an exciting opportunity for new experiences
The life of all
For all living things, their existence is sustained by You
Where life’s adventure is begun
It is within this world that we embark on our journey of life
In Thee the lamb
In You we find safety and protection, like a lamb in its shepherd's care
Contributed by Jayden W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Alyson Kelly
on Revelation
Revelation
by Iona
____________________________________________________
Waiting for the Spirit of Truth to tell
Power on Earth to stand in the face of hell
Waiting for the sky to clear
Waiting for the Son to appear
Waiting to see you
Waiting to hear you
Waiting for vision
To see your, your
Revelation
Learning the purifying flame
Regeneration after the growing pain
Longing for the words to flow
Longing for the world to know
Waiting to see you
Waiting to hear you
Waiting for vision
To see your, your
Revelation
Waiting to see you
Waiting to hear you
Waiting for vision
To see your, your
Revelation
Waiting to see you
Waiting to hear you
Waiting for vision
To see your, your
Revelation
Waiting to see you
Waiting to hear you
Waiting for vision
To see your, your, your, your
Revelation